mgo.licio.us

"The face of the operation is Briatore (referred to exclusively in the film by his colleagues and angry, chanting detractors as "Flavio"), an anthropomorphic radish who spends most of his time at QPR plotting to fire all of the managers."

At press time, Harbaugh had sent Michigan’s athletic department an envelope containing a heavily annotated seating chart, a list of the 63,000 seat views he had found unsatisfactory, and a glowing 70-page report on section 25, row 12, seat 9, which he claimed is “exactly what the great sport of football is all about.”

Anyway...I definitely think we'll have to wait until tomorrow to see any Michigan players get picked. Not many offensive guards/centers have gone so far (only Watkins and Pouncey, IIRC), and even though I heard at one time that Schilling might be a 3rd rounder, I think that's overly optimistic.

I hope Akeem Ayers or Ras-I Dowling fall to the Lions. Selfishly I'd prefer Dowling. But just grab a damn cornerback. If they don't, I guess I'll just hope it's a sign they think they can re-sign Houston and they like Alphonso Smith.

They need offensive linemen. They've needed offensive linemen for years and years and years. Personally, I don't give a s*** about cornerbacks, because they need to keep Matt Stafford healthy. That should be priority #1 right now.

The Lions' offensive line wasn't actually that bad last season. They were a bit wanting in the run game (20th in YPC; 24th in attempts), but they were definitely above average in QB protection (6th in sacks; 10th in QB hits). I agree that a better OL is needed, but last season's offensive line was definitely not nearly as bad as the seasons before it.

Yeah, he's good. But, as someone said, the D-line was already an area of strength. And the guy brings a lot of baggage with him. IMO, the Lions need to upgrade their offensive line as a #1 priority. They have a stud WR, franchise QB, and a great back. But, they need a better line to protect Stafford and block for Best. Yes, I agree that they also need a CB and Linebacker. But, I'd go for a couple linemen with their remaining picks for sure. Or maybe go for a good free agent if one's available.

"You owe it to every man, woman, and child in the State of Michigan to beat the Buckeyes and silence their fans! Now go out there and make it happen!"

Jim Schwartz made a good point yesterday when he said that we started winning games at the end of the season because our D-line was coming together. We won 4 games in a row with a below average secondary and without our starting qb. I love the Fairley pick as long as he comes in and works his ass off. I'm hoping for Brandon Harris or another corner in round 2 and a linebacker in round 3. Maybe Bruce Carter or Greg Jones will be available. I also really like Casey Matthews if he's available in round 4. Everybody saying we wasted our first round pick needs to wait for the draft to be over because you never know (especially with this staff) who we'll end up picking.

Anyone who says we wasted our first round pick is an idiot. Having the best DL in the league can make up for a lot of other deficiencies on a team, and we may have set ourselves up for exactly that. There weren't any OTs worthy of the #13 pick I don't think, and Fairley will have more of an impact than any LB or CB that was available. We'll grab some solid O-linemen and other defensive players with the rest of our picks.

Anyone who says we DIDN'T waste our first round pick is an idiot. We have 1st round money now invested in 2 people at the same position. With the salary cap, we cannot afford elite level players at each position group if we are investing a lot of money to just one of those groups. After the 1st round, we still need every single high-priority position that we did before the draft even began. We may be able to get to the QB more easily, but that certainly won't stop our OLBs and CBs from being taken advantage of. Double moves, 5-wide sets, screens, etc. can all be used to tame an aggresive Dline.

How this is not being compared to WR I, WR II, WR III is beyond me. Now, if we had a rookie salary cap, I would be upset, but not as upset. You just can't, in this league, have 2 1st-rounders at the same position and succeed as an up-and-coming team.

4:59pm Thursday: OT, OLB, CB

4:59pm Friday: OT, OLB, CB

As for impact, both Smith and Prince would've had a bigger impact because they would be an upgrade at a position of need.

With KVB back, I think we could've had the best DL in the league without Fairley and an upgraded back 7 with a 1st round CB.

When they're building a team that can, not just make the playoffs. They're not filling all their holes in one season. But they may have a dominant unit at the most important spot after QB. They're choices were the rare chance to get elite talent at one of those positions, an inside O-lineman rather than an outside one, maybe the 3rd best CB talent-wise (a position of risky value), and a weak draft for LBs. They have a chance to have what every defense wants- control the line with just your linemen, and put everyone else into coverage. They can get value DBs and LBs and linemen in later rounds, and get someone excellent there with their #1 next year. If they improve, there won't be any great D-Linemen available there.

And comparing defensive linemen to receivers....I mean, really? Check and look...first round is full of QBs and D-Linemen, not receivers and CBs, for a reason.

There are three position groups that win you football games. QB is obviously one, defensive line is the second, and offensive line the third. Make one of those three an overwhelming strength and you're in good shape.

As a Bears fan, I'm still in shock that the Bears drafted a guy at a position of obvious need who actually looks like the right pick. But because it's a Bears draft with Jerry Angelo and therefore they are required to screw up something in the first two rounds by league rule, they botched a trade with the Ravens.

I get the Fairley pick, I bet the Lions had him graded so much higher than anyone else on their board that they figured they had to go for it. You can hide your secondary better when the QB is regularly running for his life. Their D-line is ridiculous now, with star power AND quality depth. Maybe grab a corner or linebacker in the second now, and take a shot on some guys for the o-line and back 7 in the later rounds as well. They're doing a nice job on building the team, now if Stafford could just stay healthy...

We got the steal of the second round in Bowers. If his knee is not an issue. Looks like our D-Line is going to be preety good and hopefully for a long time. They picked up a LB with their third pick. Espn says that we had the best Day 2.

But then, I still have it in my mind that he wanted all this control...even though it looks like he didn't get it. You want to succeed or fail on your own merits? Coach college. Or win a lot of Super Bowls.

I feel really conflicted about that pick. I would have loved to see an o-line pick or a corner or linebacker but with best, burelson, and Johnson...that's a lot of weapons. the offense might be scary if Stafford can stay healthy

I'm not sold on Best yet. I'm still skeptical because of his injury concerns and our O-line isn't that great. Burleson is getting towards the end of his career. He can also help as a kick returner, and can help free up some space for Calvin Johnson. Don't forget about Pettigrew too, I think he might break-out this season. I'm praying for some players who can help contribute to our back seven on defense though.

Our D-line and offense (minus the line) are pretty much set. We need to start focusing on these positions instead of ignoring them like we have been recently.